On May 19, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of The Twelve Apostles met with close to 1 400 young adults in Beira, Mozambique, during a devotional filled with warmth, smiles, testimony, and invitations to grow closer to the Savior through education and meaningful relationships.
Elder Gong was accompanied by his wife, Sister Susan Gong and Elder Denelson Silva, First Counselor in the Africa South Area Presidency, and his wife, Sister Regina Silva as well as Elder Freeman Dickie and his wife Sister Sukoluhle Dickie.
Members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered at the Palmeira Chapel on a warm afternoon, filling the meetinghouse and two large tents with excitement and reverence as they welcomed Elder and Sister Gong. The Church leaders embraced those they met with love and joy and expressed gratitude for their faith and presence.
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Sister Susan Gong speaks to young adults during a devotional in Beira, Mozambique, 19 May 2026.
Sister Susan Gong speaks to young adults during a devotional in Beira, Mozambique, May 19, 2026. © 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Sister Gong shared lessons taught to her by her sister-in-law, Susan Gong (née Peterson), who faced a difficult cancer diagnosis with remarkable faith. Even in her final months, Susan continued to strengthen those around her and focused on healing relationships that mattered most. Sister Gong concluded with her testimony of the Savior and His healing power: “I testify that the Savior heals our hearts. He forgives our sins. He sweetens our relationships. He promises a glorious resurrection.”
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Elder Gong taught the young adults that education is a lifelong process of growth and becoming. He began by teaching the congregation a Chinese phrase, demonstrating how the meaning of the word “ma” changes depending on tone and pitch. As Elder Gong spoke in English and the young adults repeated the phrase in Portuguese, smiles filled the chapel, a manifestation of joy that comes through learning together.
Elder Gong connected the anecdote to the importance of continual learning, “We all need to learn how to learn. The more we learn how to learn, the more things we can learn,” he said.
He continued, “We live in a time when every day we need to learn something new. If every day we learn something new, we call that education. And the prophet [President Dallin H. Oaks has said, we need to have as much education as we can.”
Throughout the devotional, Elder Gong walked among the young adults, inviting them to read scriptures and share their testimonies, while those in the congregation often nodded in agreement. He reminded them that every person learns differently, teaching that because there are many forms of education, each person should seek the kind of learning that is best for them.
Elder Gong’s message to the attendees was simple, “Every kind of education that can help someone is good education. We all need to have education to help take care of ourselves, to be self-reliant. The more different things we can do, the more we can bless other people.”
Extending Christlike Care in Mozambique
While ministering in Beira, Elder Gong visited Hospital Central da Beira on May 20, 2026, for the official handover of physiotherapy equipment donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as part of the Church’s ongoing humanitarian efforts in the region.
Hospital Director Dr. Amir Seni, along with Assane Abdala, Director of Provincial Health Services, and Edgar Itai Meque, Provincial Chief Medical Officer, welcomed the group and guided them through the hospital facilities.
Hospital Central da Beira, which is more than 100 years old, is the primary referral hospital for Sofala Province and serves communities across central Mozambique. Many patients whose needs cannot be met at local clinics and smaller health centers are transferred there for specialized treatment and rehabilitation services.
During the visit, healthcare leaders shared both the opportunities and challenges facing the institution, including aging infrastructure and the increasing demand for medical services. Despite these challenges, doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers continue to provide compassionate care to thousands of patients throughout the province.
In 2025, the Church, in collaboration with UNICEF, renovated the Kangaroo Mother Care Unit, which assists mothers and newborn babies recovering after leaving the neonatal intensive care unit. The Church is also supporting the ongoing rehabilitation of the maternity and delivery ward, helping improve maternal and neonatal care for families throughout the region.
The newly donated physiotherapy equipment will help strengthen rehabilitation services and support patients recovering from injury, illness, and other medical conditions requiring long-term care. Dr. Amir noted that the equipment would bless the lives of the estimated 1 200 patients cared for at the hospital at any given time.
During the handover, Elder Denelson Silva spoke about the Church’s commitment to humanitarian aid and caring for those in need. He shared that these efforts are made possible through the faith and generosity of Church members and reflect the Savior’s teachings to love God and love our neighbors.
Sister Regina Silva expressed gratitude that the Church is able to help provide resources that can give newborn babies greater opportunities to breathe, recover, and live healthy lives.
Throughout the visit, Elder and Sister Gong expressed appreciation to healthcare workers for their compassion, dedication, and service to the people of Mozambique. Speaking about the ongoing needs in the region, Elder Gong said, “We know that you’re doing incredible things to bless many people under challenging circumstances.” he said, expressing gratitude to the healthcare workers. “Every day, you bless mothers and children who are sick, and we give you our highest respect and honor.”
While in Sofala Province, Elder Gong met with His Excellency, Manuel Rodrigues Alberto, Secretary of State for Sofala Province, to discuss the Church’s ongoing humanitarian and community efforts in the region. During the meeting, Elder Gong highlighted the Church’s participation in healthcare initiatives, including assistance provided to Hospital Central da Beira following the destruction caused by Cyclone Idai, as well as the donation of medical equipment and supplies to strengthen rehabilitation services. His Excellency expressed appreciation for the Church’s partnership and the positive impact its humanitarian programs continue to have on communities, particularly for women and children.
The Church in Mozambique
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been present in Mozambique since 1996 and currently has more than 42 000 members throughout the country. The Church continues to support humanitarian, educational and community-strengthening initiatives across the nation.